About Me

I am proud of my membership of the following groups:

  • Co-ordinator North Westmeath Suicide Outreach Group
  • Volunteer/Fundraiser North Westmeath Hospice
  • Mullingar St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee
  • Treasurer Ballynacargy GAA
  • Ballynacargy Tidy Towns
  • Westmeath VEC
  • Mullingar Arts Centre

I was elected to the 31st Dáil in February 2011. I am the youngest member of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party and the current spokesperson for Children. Since my election, I have actively contributed to  Dáil debates on issues affecting my portfolio and constituents, which included taking an active role in supporting the recent Children’s Rights Referendum campaign.  Also since my election, I have been heavily involved with local and national charity campaigns including Pieta House Suicide Awareness and LARCC Cancer research centre.Before being elected as a TD I served as a county councillor for Westmeath since 2004. 

I come from a family with a strong tradition in community and volunteer work. My parents Paddy & Sarah were involved in many community groups most notably the GAA and Community Games. My Uncle, Fr. Ulic Troy is a former Chairman of  Westmeath County Board. I went to Emper National school and then onto St. Finian’s College before going to work in Dublin. Having worked in Dublin for 5 years, I returned to take over as Postmaster in Ballynacargy Post Office. Since first elected a councillor in 2004 we have seen many improvements in our area; and I am delighted to have worked with so many voluntary organisations to achieve this. I have also worked for individuals in confidence in personal matters always respecting the integrity of peoples concerns and ensuring the best possible outcome.

Why Me?

While Ireland is undoubtedly facing difficult times at present, I also believe that these difficulties present a great opportunity for reform within politics and across the political process.

I have always practiced strong values such as integrity, honesty and fairness. Furthermore I have always placed the wishes of the people who elected me at the top of my agenda – and will continue to do so.

As a young person, who is working and living in the area, I have first hand knowledge of many of the difficulties that are facing the people of Longford-Westmeath both financially and socially. It is this knowledge, along with what I have learnt from serving as a county councillor, that has placed me is in an excellent position to have your issues raised at the national political level; while also being aware of ensuring that Ireland as a nation, returns to the prosperity and success that we have experienced, until recently, over the past 10 to 12 years.